Sign up today for Post Pro Picks, The Post's free, weekly NFL pick 'em game, where you can win great prizes, form groups to play against your friends, see how you fare against our experts or just play for fun. Register at http://washingtonpost.com/pro-picks

Camp storylines: No. 10 Santana Moss

With Redskins training camp opening Thursday afternoon, this week on Redskins Insider we'll count down the most pressing issues the team faces as players prepare to report.

Will Santana Moss be punished for his involvement with a Canadian doctor accused of administering human growth hormone to athletes?

The biggest performance-enhancing controversy of the offseason focused on Anthony Galea, a doctor who has treated Moss, the Redskins' top receiver. While Moss has acknowledged receiving treatments from Galea, he also has said he never knowingly received HGH.

If the league feels the government case against Galea provides sufficient evidence that Moss did use HGH, he could be facing a four-game suspension. As the Redskins' only proven receiver, his presence on the active roster is critical.

Prediction: The commissioner's office either doesn't feel it has heard enough to punish Moss or is waiting for the federal case against Galea to progress. After speaking with Moss, Redskins coach Mike Shanahan said he didn't believe a suspension is
coming.

If one is around the corner, it likely would come down before the team's first preseason game. But don't be surprised if the NFL's patience on the matter stretches into the season. If Galea or someone associated with him doesn't volunteer exactly what Moss received from Galea, a suspension may not be imminent.

If Galea or someone associated with him doesn't volunteer exactly what Moss received from Galea, a suspension may not be imminent.

By Rick Maese | July 26, 2010; 9:45 AM ET

And if Galea does "volunteer exactly what Moss received" a suspensions still is not imminent, because it's Galea's word against Moss's word and the union's not going to let any suspension stand on such a flimsy allegation.

The actual "storyline" on Moss has to do with how he will fit in the new offense and how he will perform on the field, not this BS.

Good, but too long of a read....But the priceless portion is down there in the comments section. Some Eagles fans now proclaim to be Redskins fans and are rooting for us to make it all the way as long as we have McNabb. Some want the Eagles to go 14-2 with the 2 losses against the Skins....

Our WR corps needs to be figured out this year. my Gut tells me that Moss will be working his way down the line up in the next few seasons. If it were up to me, I would ready myself to get 2 stud WR's in 2011

PS Rick - your poll has nothing to do with the blog post. In fact, the whole blog is shockingly disappointing - youve wasted a great opportunity to talk about a new Moss in a new system with an experienced QB and how it all could fit. Insteads you go looking for controversy.

Ah, finally...when I couldn't comment on the last thread, I thought maybe that d-bag RIManagement from last night was serious...

Anyways, I hope we dodge a bullet on the Moss suspension...no news just has to be good news on this front. Moss has been a Cowboy killer for us and we'll need all hands on deck Week 1 if we wanna pull off the upset.

MistaMoe
First, great questions on his long term future. But to reply to your comments about Cooley, Davis and Thomas.

Do you really see them as deep threat players?

I mean Chris Cooley is easily my favorite Skin of todays players, but he has never had a deep threat style of play. He is a 10 yard catch + 5-10 yard run kinda player. Part of that historically has been Brunell and Campbell lacking the proper combination of strength and down-field accuracy and the lack of time given by the line. But even so, if you were to ask me what Cooley does well, you give him a option rout and let him find space. Davis has more speed than Cooley, but even so, we did not see him get many deep passes. But they are both tight ends, the classic job for them is to pick up first downs and be good in the red zone. Devin Thomas, still strikes me as more of a possession receiver, and I am not sure Kelly is good at anything.

I know Jenkins doesn't have many fans up here, but her column was spot on this morning. Definitely more positive than usual (for obvious reasons) and she hits on the nail on the head with this:

"The fact is, they could be considerably improved and still be an under-.500 team...But the ace in the hole is Shanahan. There's a sure-handedness, and an I-mean-business aura to his dealings that we haven't seen at Redskins Park in years, not even during Joe Gibbs's tenure. The bet here is that Shanahan's presence alone is worth at least eight victories -- although in an interview with Redskins.com last week, he spoke as if 8-8 would be a cringe-worthy failure.

We don't know a lot about the Redskins yet, but we do know this much: They are already a better-coached, less enabling, better-run franchise. Their hopes aren't reliant on a home run strategy but rather on Shanahan's coherent plan and sheer professionalism."

The bet here is that Shanahan's presence alone is worth at least eight victories -- although in an interview with Redskins.com last week, he spoke as if 8-8 would be a cringe-worthy failure.

We don't know a lot about the Redskins yet, but we do know this much: They are already a better-coached, less enabling, better-run franchise. Their hopes aren't reliant on a home run strategy but rather on Shanahan's coherent plan and sheer professionalism."

The fact that Devin runs a 4.4 40 dosent make him strictly a deep threat which I dont really see him as.
The fact that he has run through some tackles and has YAC ability makes him more of a possession receiver to me. He has ran through contact on all his TDs so far.

Kelly is there to keep the trainers on point for when the real players get injured.

Agreed scamp...no coach or GM in the NFL should be doling out acceptable/unacceptable numbers for what constitutes as a good or bad win/loss record. That kinda stuff is subjective and any coach engaging in that kinda speculation should be fired on the spot.

Good coaches aim high while keeping expectations (outside of the locker room, at least) low. Glad to see we finally have a good coach.

Time has come to start phasing out the Skins dependence on Santana. Hopefully Shanny can diversify and Moss gets about 40 catches this year. Moss will still make his 5-6 significant plays this year. The offense will be much better off if its run through someone other than Santana.

Personally, I don't give a crap if DT is a possession receiver or a speed receiver...so long as he consistently gets open and makes catches. Once he gets that down pat, THEN we can worry about what he's doing after the catch.

Seems to me possession/speed labels are a nice way of stating someone's limitations. Like Hines Ward is always called a "possession receiver"...which is a nice way of saying that some offensive lineman are faster than he is now. Or Donnie Avery is a "speed receiver"...a kind way of saying he can't catch a cold unless he's 5 yards ahead of the guy that's checking him.

I don't know about you guys, but I'm rooting for DT to be a BALANCED receiver that consistently makes plays all over the field. Just sayin'...

Considering the Skins talent level compared to division rivals, an 8-8 record (2-4 division) would be quite an accomplishment.

Shanny knows that Skins fans will slurp up whatever bull he dishes out. He's got a big fat scapegoat all lined up for when the team underperforms.

Posted by: coparker5 | July 26, 2010 11:57 AM

First of all, anything below 3-3 in division is awful. I'd venture to say that 8-8 doesn't happen if they can't manage to break even in division. The Cowpies are the obvious favorite, but the rest of the division isn't that far apart IMO. There's no reason why this team can't at least split the season series with those squads.

And I don't know what scapegoat you're talking about, but this year is a transition period. Expectations are the most realistic they've been in years. The only way scapegoats are necessary is if the Skins can't get to 8 wins.

No need to worry about Moss, the worry should be on the other side and in the slot. Devin Thomas can play, but he doesn't want it bad enough. He'd rather make music videos. Malcolm Kelly is big, but that is about the limit of his skills. He is slow, can't get off the line against pressing defenses and has bad hands. Galloway is short and old and Furrey is short and slow. Maybe a receiver will step up out of the rest of the free agents and rookies, but don't count on it. I see a trade in the works before the season starts.

I really believe that this investigation is one that will produce nothing immediately. Don't expect to see Moss suspended this year, expect it next year... if at all. The details are so vague on this and it is a federal investigation. He never tested positive for anything People. IMO Moss will play 15-16 games this year and now that he has a pro bowl caliber QB throwing to him for the 1st time in his career he will get above 70 receptions. We all know Donovan has one of the best long balls in the game, used to kill us and the Cowboys every game. Expect alot of bombs to Moss, Thomas and yes... Galloway! Can't wait.

Malcolm Kelly is big, but that is about the limit of his skills. He is slow, can't get off the line against pressing defenses and has bad hands.

Posted by: JAMNEW | July 26, 2010 2:15 PM

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Why do I bother?
Malcolm Kelly has "bad hands?"
Really? When did this happen? From what I've seen, he's got the best hands of all the receivers. Now, Santana, who, unfortunately is 5'9", has a much, much better attack on a ball in the air. He goes after it really well, usually. Thomas hasn't made a tough catch yet. Kelly is slow? Based on what? His 4 catches last year? lol

Say what you want, but don't just spew some nonsense about Kelly has "bad hands." That discredits everything else you said, some of which is kinda true.

And, you know what? Even if he DID have bad hands, it wouldn't stop him from being a great receiver... I mean, look at Jerry Rice. He was slow, undisciplined, lazy, had terrible hands, and he still made the hall of fame.

I'd hate to see Santana punished but if he is guilty then I'm sure that he'll have to pay a price. Guilt by association is not sufficient grounds !

Santana has been my favorite Redskin since Darrell Green left. The Coles for Moss trade may be the best one made during the Snyder regime.

When it first happened - a Philly fan told me that it was a bad trade because Moss was "tiny." I advised him that although he wasn't a big receiver he had three things that Coles will never have and those are heart, great moves and huevos ! I hope Santana has a few more outstanding seasons in him because he and Portis have been the only guys on offense who give 100%.

JCM-51 says "Reskins in 2010, 6 and 10, heard it here first...Go Cowboys!" This clown probably wouldn't know Dallas if the whole city hit him on his big head , like most DC area Cowboy fans ! This clown should be given a one way ticket to Dallas.

I am A DC guy (now in San Antonio) and root for everything Washington except Arenas who has overstayed his overrated welcome.

I went to high school in DC and love the 'Skins. I hope Santana and McNabb hook up in the first game and put the Cowgirls in their place.